Sanskrit Pundits, Indian texts, Colonial Consciousness
1. When we go-about with our fellow human beings, we need to possess some or another idea about the nature of ourselves and our fellow human beings. (Call it, for…
Read moreDo we understand Colonialism?
Colonialism has been one of the most significant phenomena in the history of humankind in the last three hundred years or so. Its importance can hardly be overstated. Yet, as…
Read moreReligious colonialism: Islamic vs. Christian
1. As Indians, if we have to access the Indian traditions we need two things: (a) it must be possible for us to access them; (b) we must know how…
Read moreUnderstanding Buddha and Colonial Consciousness
“How do we understand the idea that an enlightened person has no wants?” Before we understand what the idea says, it would be good to find out what it does…
Read moreIndian way of Westernization
1. How the Indians learn whatever they learn will be in accordance with their ways of going-about in the world. That is to say, the configuration of learning determines how…
Read moreIs the hypothesis about colonial consciousness ad hoc?
1. I have come to accept that the most interesting facts that a theory explains are those of the theory itself. Furthermore, a ‘theory’, which collects all kinds of facts…
Read moreColonial Consciousness and Sanskrit Concepts
1. Many are concerned that English translations of some words from native languages distort their meaning. If we restrict ourselves to terms like ‘Deva’, ‘Dharma’ and such like, the worry…
Read moreAre Brahmins ‘priests’?
I do not have a theory of meaning. I do not know which of the many fragmentary theories of meaning I should choose from and why. Even though I acknowledge…
Read moreWhat is Colonial Consciousness?
Colonial consciousness incorporates the following element: in making statements about the colonized, the colonizer thinks that he is describing the colonizer. The latter, for his part, takes such statements as…
Read moreNormative Assumptions, Discriminations, and Caste Discriminations
1. I was invited by some Sadhus from Swami Narayan Temple (BAPS) to visit the temple and have a discussion with them. Because they practice very strict Brahmacharya (eight types…
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